The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated today that a Burlington man has been arrested by the FBI and Vermont State Police for aiding and abetting in the commission of two convenience store robberies. Christopher J. Adams, 27, was arrested after having been charged by a Federal Grand Jury in the two count indictment with aiding and abetting in the commission of the January 28, 2007 robbery of the Champlain Farms convenience store in Colchester and the January 29, 2007 robbery of the Chittenden Mills Beverage convenience store in Jericho. Adams was arraigned on the indictment today in the United States District Court and he pleaded not guilty. He was released on a variety of conditions. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for August 20, 2007.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000 on each count. The actual sentence will be determined in accordance with the federal Sentencing Guidelines in the event of a conviction. United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson stated that the charges in indictment are allegations only and that Adams is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson commended the Burlington Resident Agency of the FBI, the Colchester Police Department, and the Vermont State Police for their cooperative investigation of these robberies.

Adams is represented by Ernest M. Allen, III, Esq. Assistant United States Attorney John M. Conroy is the prosecutor.